1.3- pressure groups

Question 1

Give an example of when a pressure group has used judicial review to challenge government policy.

Answer 1

• liberty launched a legal challenge against the IPA (Snoopers Charter)
• this was unsuccessful

Question 2

What are the types of pressure groups

Answer 2

• causal: focused on achieving a particular goal or cause e.g green peace
• sectional groups: promote the interests of particular groups e.g trade unions
• social movements (thrived under social movements) : usually politically radical and stem around a particular goal

Question 3

Give an example of a successful social movement.

large protest

Answer 3

• the Stop War coalition, which aimed to end the UKS involvement in the Iraq war.
• estimated 750,000 marches

Question 4

Give an example of a successful social movement petition

Answer 4

The revoke article 50 petition which gained over 6 million signatures in 2019

Question 5

give an example of a group which switched from an insider to an outsider group

Answer 5

• before thatcher unions had insider status due to the post-war movement
• under Thatcher, unions were deliberately excluded and their power was limited, such as through the 1982 Employment act

Question 6

Explain when the BMA has been significant in implementing legislation. And what does this show?

smoking, not the health and social care act.

Answer 6

• had already contributed to a ban in smoking in enclosed spaces in 2007 and saw the next step to be banning smoking in cars
• focused on banning smoking when children were in the car (more attainable than total ban)
• a labour peer introduced an amendment to the** 2014 children and families bill** which passed in both chambers
• currently supporting the government through conusultations on the smoking and vapes bill.

Question 7

how has the national farmers union been significant in UK politics? and give an example of particular success.

Answer 7

• has had success with the Department of Environmental, food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
• in 2013, they helped to bring about a badger cull to protect farm animals, despite oppisition from animal rights groups
• in 2023 they succesfully lobbied the government to reduce its environmental targets as they argued it would reduce food secutity and land values

Question 8

Who did Marcus Rashford team with to campaign against free school meals, and why was this significant?

Answer 8

• Marcus Rashford teamed up with Fairshare in 2020 to oppose the government’s decision not to extend free school meals into the summer holidays during COVID
• he used his social media to generate a social movement
• one day after writing an open letter to the government, the decision was overturned
• shows the potential for success for outsider groups

Question 9

in what way has just stop oil been unsuccessful in its campaigns? and why might this be?

Answer 9

• they gained a lot of attention in 2022 due to disruptive protests
• in 2022 they threw tomato soup at a van gogh painting
• their goal is large and difficult to attain and they have gained little public support
• they lack leadership

Question 10

in what ways have the RMT union been succesful? why might this be?

Answer 10

• they have caused significant disruption through demonstrations in 2022/2023 and have some public support
• they achieved an 8-10% pay rise (limited success)
• they have strong leadership in general secretary Mick Linch who has had a large media presence

Question 11

what are the factors that affect pressure group success

Answer 11

• resources e.g large membership
• for trade unions, the nature of the membership is significant, rail workers are important to the economy and may therefore have more influence
• strategy and leadership (for outsider groups)- ability to gain media coverage
• knowledge of access points (for insider groups)
• public support
• alignment with government ideas

Question 12

give an example of a pressure group with a significant number of cheque book members.

Answer 12

the AA
- 14 million members
- membership is for break down cover rather than an act of political participation

Question 13

what is the membership of the CBI (conferation of british industry)?

Answer 13

• 1500 direct membership

Question 14

Give an example of when the CBI had significant influence over legislation

Answer 14

2018 they succesfully lobies for a third (new) runway at heathrow

Question 15

what % of people in the UK are a member of at least 1 pressure group?

Answer 15

40%

Question 16

How can it be argued that pressure groups enhance democracy?

Answer 16

• represent minority groups
• participation
• accountability for government

Question 17

how can it be argued that pressure groups undermine democracy?

Answer 17

• to many powerful groups can lead to hyperplurism
• undermine elected officials
• concentration of power with an elite few groups
• cheque book members

Question 18

How might it be argued that extinction rebellion has been sucesfull and unsucesfull?

Answer 18

• theyn have contributed to a shift in the overton window (the range of polies the public views as acceptable)
• brining terms such as ‘climate emergency and ‘net zero’ into political conversation
• their main aim was to create political change which they have failed to do

Question 19

Give an example of a pressure group trying to educate in order to proetct rights.

Answer 19

after the policing crime and sentencing act 2022 liberty created a “know your rights” hub and “bust cards” that contain information on police powers, rights, and contact details for lawyers